The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-22
WINDHAM COUNTY COURT.

Last week was one of the dullest court
weeks, for the beginning of the fall term,
that was ever known. Had it not been
for the grand jury, with whom by the
way, business seemed to be more rushing
than usual, there would have been abso-
lutely no business during Tuesday, We'd
nesday and Thursday, with the exception
of the two divorce cases mentioned last
week. The case that was set for trial on
Thursday morning was referred to the
court before that time came and no case
could be prepared until Friday morning
when jury was impaneled for the case
of Lemuel Smith and wife Niagara ms.
Co.
In this case it appears that the plaintiffs
owned story and a half house on Dover
common which was burned, together with
shed attached, on Oct. 4, 1856. The
same was insured in the Niagara insur-
ance company for $500 in July of the
same year. which insurance the defendant
company refused to pay, alleging that
the house was fred for the purpose of OBJ
tanning it. The defendants testimony
went to show that the property was over
insured and that was an inducement that
led to the firing. Defendants witnesses
also claimed that the fire could not have
come from the chimney as the plaintiffs
testimony went to show for it made its
appearance some ways from the chimney,
on the roof. Their testimony went fur
ther to show that all arrangements had
been made in the house preparatory to
fire; that dishes had been packed, and bui
reau drawers filled with articles from the
house so that they could be easily remov-
ed. Mrs. Smith, it was claimed would
allow no one to go up stairs and SO come
into the vicinity of the fire. The counsel
for the defence also affirmed that the prop
er requirements had not been made to get
the insurance provided it was due. The
plaintiffs claimed the house was fired from
the chimney, which though new might
have become defective from settling or
some other cause. This theory was back
ed up by the fact that Mrs. Smith was
ironing at the time and had hot fire.
Their testimony went also to show that
the premises were not insured for more
than their real value and that if they were
in any way prepared for the fire it was
purely accidental. They alleged the
cause of Mrs. Smith not allowing any.
one to go up stairs to the fact that there
was nothing of any great value to be
saved by so doing, and that the services
of all were needed below. All guilt seem
ed removed from Mrs. Smith from the
in trying to save as much as possible that
her son had to go in and get her out from
the burning building. The case was ably
argued on Monday and Tuesday of this
week and was submitted to the jury at p.
m. Tuesday. The jury soon returned anc
rendered verdict for the plaintiffs Of
$500 with interest from Dec 10, 1886, the
entire amount sued for.
Davenport and Waterman d Martin foa
plaintiffs.
Haskins d ,Stoddoyd for detenddm com
pdny.
On Saturday morning the grand jur!
reported to the court and were discharg
ed. They found 10 true bills out of thu
% cases presented. Following is the list
State Horace Blanchard, selling liquor
Rawson Convey, assault with intent t,
kill, Geo. T. Shanks, libel, Frank Stow
ell, assault with intent to commit rape
Arthur Brenenstehl, larceny, Revill'
Howard, assault with intent to kill, Chas
boy, larceny, pickpocket. Chas. boy
horse wagon, Emery Knowlton, selling
liquor, Kendall z. Ames & Manley l.
Burr, selling liquor, ID. +. Taylor, selln
liquor, G. +. Bacon, breaking jail, Wn
Brown, breaking Jail.
In their report on the condition of I'll
county buildings they make some yer
timely suggestions in reference to the ia
which should be acted upon at once fc
yearly the states criminals are escapin
in greater or less numbers, largely on a
count of the condition of the Jail. The
recommend first that the small ventilatI
apertures or windows, on the north ell